JASMINE ALLEY: THE BILL SLASH FICTION

Jasmine Alley : The Lockup : Panda : Coming Home

Title:                         Coming Home
Author pseudonym:              Panda
Rating:                        PG-13
Status:                        Unfinished, penultimate in series
Pairing:                       Loxton / Quinnan
Disclaimers:                   Characters mentioned belong to
                               Thames Television / Pearson.


===========
Coming Home
===========


A few hours later I wake to the distant sound of police
sirens.  Their relentless electronic howl growing louder and
louder until coming to a sudden halt just up the street.  A
degree of idle curiosity compels me to take a look and I
reluctantly drag myself away from the warm body next to me
and pad silently over to the window.

Drawing the drapes back slightly, I cross my arms lightly
across my chest and look out onto the street below.  The
police car, only a panda with the familiar Sun Hill
markings, is parked across the street a couple of houses
away.  Two officers, a PC and WPC, both unknown to me, have
left the car and are striding towards the front door.  An
elderly woman wearing a garish purple evening dress quickly
opens the door to the WPC’s knock and gestures them in.  I
can just make out an overturned bookcase, the books
scattered all over the floor, before the door is shut.

I turn my attention to the rest of the darkened street as I
assume that the house must have been burgled.  A sense of
amusement settling over me as I note the number of houses
with illuminated windows.  In each lit window the silhouette
of a concerned neighbour busily checking out the source of
the sirens.  All no doubt congratulating themselves that it
is not their misfortune that has brought the police.  The
irony is not lost on me that by looking out at them, I am
really no different.

Instead of finding this thought annoying it merely serves to
add to my feeling of contentedness.  Never before have I
felt so certain that I have made the right decision.
Returning to Sun Hill feels like coming home.

This sensation is suddenly emphasised by Dave silently
coming up behind me and gently pushing his arms through
mine.  I immediately uncross my arms and lean back into Dave
as he clasps his hands together, resting them on my waist.
By leaning a little forward he is able to prop his head on
my shoulder.  His breath feeling like a feather light caress
on my neck.

I twist my arm back and lightly stroke Dave’s hair as he
begins to whisper.

"I thought it must have been a dream…  I woke up and you
weren’t there.  I suppose… well, I thought you’d left.
Again."

"No.  Only the once.  Never again."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

My response is rewarded by a soft, moist kiss on my neck and
the feeling of Dave’s hands unclasping.  They skim across my
body until one is lying flat across my stomach and the other
a little higher up my chest.  I can’t help trembling at this
casual display of affection.

I continue stroking Dave’s hair and further down his neck as
he resumes talking quietly.

"Then I saw you standing by the window and for a moment I
still thought I was dreaming…"

This is followed by a muffled embarrassed laugh.  As if he
can’t believe what he has just said.  "Anyway," he continues
hurriedly, "What are you doing?"

"Watching the suburban circus down there…"  Using my free
arm, I indicate the panda parked below on the street.  "It
looks as though the house has been burgled."

Dave stands on tip toe and peers over my shoulder.  Silence
descends over the bedroom for a moment.

"Do you miss it?"

I fight back the urge to sigh.  Of all the questions, this
is the one I least want to or even know how to answer.  My
lack of immediate response seems to translate to Dave that I
am upset or annoyed.

"I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have asked…  Just forget it."

"It’s alright."  I don’t want to worry him and decide to be
as honest as possible. "The answer is yes and no…"  I reply
slowly and stare out into the street.  Most of the lights in
the windows are out now.

"You don’t want to talk about it?"

Dave pulls me a little tighter and I settle back into his
arms.  His arms around me and the feel of our naked bodies
pressed tightly together more exciting and real than the
scene on the street.

"Not really."

"Maybe another time, yeah?"

"Maybe."

He seems content with this and my neck receives another soft
kiss.  "Is that all you were doing, watching down there?
You seemed lost in thought."

"I was thinking."

"Do you want to tell me what about?"

Removing his hands, Dave slowly turns me around until I am
facing him.  His hands gently cupping my chin, his eyes
fixed expectantly on me.  Clear even in the dim light
offered by the street lamp.

I nod slowly and half smile.  Briefly.  My hands moving to
his hips and beginning to knead the soft flesh.

"I was thinking… thinking about all the decisions I’ve ever
made in my life and how this, returning to Sun Hill and…"  I
pause, contemplating how far I want to go.  How far I want
to expose myself.  My decision being made for me when Dave
takes one hand away from my chin and lightly traces it down
my torso.  Such a gentle caress.  His eyes never leaving
mine.  "…And returning to *you*, is the best one I’ve ever
made…"

I hang my head as the words seem to hover in the air.
Wondering whether I’ve said too much.

Dave’s hand, the one that is still under my chin, tilts my
head towards him.  Leaning in close he whispers
emphatically, "It *is*."  He then brings his face closer to
mine and gently rubs our noses together before quickly
kissing me on the lips and pulling away.

"Come on.  Come back to bed.  Where you *belong*."

This is said in such a way that I can hear the smile in
Dave’s voice without having to see it.

Closing the drapes I can’t help asking, "Belong?" as I
follow him back to bed.  It’s a nice thought.  Just one that
I’ve never considered before.

Dave climbs into bed, settles and looks at me as I stand
near the edge of it.  His smile still evident in the
darkened room.

"Yeah.  Belong.  Now, come on…  I want you next to me."

These words ignite a warmth in me that no amount of sunlight
or artificial heat could ever compete with.  Ever.  Crawling
into bed I kiss Dave’s cheek softly before pulling the duvet
over the two of us and lying down.

"Belong."  I murmur, either in agreement or longing, as
Dave’s arms draw me closer into an embrace.  One that will
last until we get up and face the day.  For Dave to put on
his uniform and go to work.  For me to decide what my future
holds.

One thing I am certain of though is that whatever the future
holds, I know that things are looking up.  Dave’s comment of
belonging gives me hope.  Perhaps he is right.  Maybe I do
belong here.  It certainly feels like home.


	Jasmine Alley : The Lockup : Panda : Coming Home
		Title: Coming Home Author pseudonym: Panda Rating: PG-13 Status: Unfinished, penultimate in series Pairing: Loxton / Quinnan Disclaimers: Characters mentioned belong to Thames Television / Pearson. =========== Coming Home =========== A few hours later I wake to the distant sound of police sirens. Their relentless electronic howl growing louder and louder until coming to a sudden halt just up the street. A degree of idle curiosity compels me to take a look and I reluctantly drag myself away from the warm body next to me and pad silently over to the window. Drawing the drapes back slightly, I cross my arms lightly across my chest and look out onto the street below. The police car, only a panda with the familiar Sun Hill markings, is parked across the street a couple of houses away. Two officers, a PC and WPC, both unknown to me, have left the car and are striding towards the front door. An elderly woman wearing a garish purple evening dress quickly opens the door to the WPC’s knock and gestures them in. I can just make out an overturned bookcase, the books scattered all over the floor, before the door is shut. I turn my attention to the rest of the darkened street as I assume that the house must have been burgled. A sense of amusement settling over me as I note the number of houses with illuminated windows. In each lit window the silhouette of a concerned neighbour busily checking out the source of the sirens. All no doubt congratulating themselves that it is not their misfortune that has brought the police. The irony is not lost on me that by looking out at them, I am really no different. Instead of finding this thought annoying it merely serves to add to my feeling of contentedness. Never before have I felt so certain that I have made the right decision. Returning to Sun Hill feels like coming home. This sensation is suddenly emphasised by Dave silently coming up behind me and gently pushing his arms through mine. I immediately uncross my arms and lean back into Dave as he clasps his hands together, resting them on my waist. By leaning a little forward he is able to prop his head on my shoulder. His breath feeling like a feather light caress on my neck. I twist my arm back and lightly stroke Dave’s hair as he begins to whisper. "I thought it must have been a dream… I woke up and you weren’t there. I suppose… well, I thought you’d left. Again." "No. Only the once. Never again." "Promise?" "Promise." My response is rewarded by a soft, moist kiss on my neck and the feeling of Dave’s hands unclasping. They skim across my body until one is lying flat across my stomach and the other a little higher up my chest. I can’t help trembling at this casual display of affection. I continue stroking Dave’s hair and further down his neck as he resumes talking quietly. "Then I saw you standing by the window and for a moment I still thought I was dreaming…" This is followed by a muffled embarrassed laugh. As if he can’t believe what he has just said. "Anyway," he continues hurriedly, "What are you doing?" "Watching the suburban circus down there…" Using my free arm, I indicate the panda parked below on the street. "It looks as though the house has been burgled." Dave stands on tip toe and peers over my shoulder. Silence descends over the bedroom for a moment. "Do you miss it?" I fight back the urge to sigh. Of all the questions, this is the one I least want to or even know how to answer. My lack of immediate response seems to translate to Dave that I am upset or annoyed. "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked… Just forget it." "It’s alright." I don’t want to worry him and decide to be as honest as possible. "The answer is yes and no…" I reply slowly and stare out into the street. Most of the lights in the windows are out now. "You don’t want to talk about it?" Dave pulls me a little tighter and I settle back into his arms. His arms around me and the feel of our naked bodies pressed tightly together more exciting and real than the scene on the street. "Not really." "Maybe another time, yeah?" "Maybe." He seems content with this and my neck receives another soft kiss. "Is that all you were doing, watching down there? You seemed lost in thought." "I was thinking." "Do you want to tell me what about?" Removing his hands, Dave slowly turns me around until I am facing him. His hands gently cupping my chin, his eyes fixed expectantly on me. Clear even in the dim light offered by the street lamp. I nod slowly and half smile. Briefly. My hands moving to his hips and beginning to knead the soft flesh. "I was thinking… thinking about all the decisions I’ve ever made in my life and how this, returning to Sun Hill and…" I pause, contemplating how far I want to go. How far I want to expose myself. My decision being made for me when Dave takes one hand away from my chin and lightly traces it down my torso. Such a gentle caress. His eyes never leaving mine. "…And returning to you, is the best one I’ve ever made…" I hang my head as the words seem to hover in the air. Wondering whether I’ve said too much. Dave’s hand, the one that is still under my chin, tilts my head towards him. Leaning in close he whispers emphatically, "It is." He then brings his face closer to mine and gently rubs our noses together before quickly kissing me on the lips and pulling away. "Come on. Come back to bed. Where you belong." This is said in such a way that I can hear the smile in Dave’s voice without having to see it. Closing the drapes I can’t help asking, "Belong?" as I follow him back to bed. It’s a nice thought. Just one that I’ve never considered before. Dave climbs into bed, settles and looks at me as I stand near the edge of it. His smile still evident in the darkened room. "Yeah. Belong. Now, come on… I want you next to me." These words ignite a warmth in me that no amount of sunlight or artificial heat could ever compete with. Ever. Crawling into bed I kiss Dave’s cheek softly before pulling the duvet over the two of us and lying down. "Belong." I murmur, either in agreement or longing, as Dave’s arms draw me closer into an embrace. One that will last until we get up and face the day. For Dave to put on his uniform and go to work. For me to decide what my future holds. One thing I am certain of though is that whatever the future holds, I know that things are looking up. Dave’s comment of belonging gives me hope. Perhaps he is right. Maybe I do belong here. It certainly feels like home.

(c) Watching Since Woodentop 1996-2007